Ann Arbor's Graffiti Alley Is Under Attack
By a graffiti artist no less
Ann Arbor’s Graffiti Alley’s been around for years. People express themselves with spray paint. Others may follow them and whitewash the previous art work replacing it with their own. Only to have their work whitewashed and replaced. But it’s all in good fun and means subsequent trips to the alley can present new offerings. Sort of like an art gallery changing up its display.
But there is one graffiti artist who is pissing off the others. He’s (we are told by some reporting quoting people who claim to have met him that we are talking about a man here) is viewed by many as, less of an artist and more of a tagger. And while he doesn’t get credit for this piece, he’s made his mark in this photo. It may not be instantly evident, but read on. You’ll soon get it.
Graffiti often contains a message. Sometime it can be obscure.
Sometimes it’s more to the point.
Among the noteworthy things that happened on January 14, 2023: The Brits decided to send weapons to Ukraine, the House Judiciary Committee opened its probe into the Biden documents, Iran executed a former top official despite an international outcry and China reported 60,000 COVID deaths. Or maybe this message was far more personal than any of these examples.
A racist comment overlays a tip of the hat to our cousins across the pond. Be prepared to be offended by some of the offerings, especially if obscenity is not your thing.
And speaking of being offended, this is what is annoying many of the graffiti artists. Someone who goes by the nom de plume of “Farts” or sometimes “Farts Arts” has been plastering the alley with his moniker in what some say is an attempt to create controversy and bring attention to the displays. But what many say is a self promoting defacement.
Seemingly no one knows who “Farts” is. But rumors abound. Including one suggestion that he is filming his adventures for a documentary (adding to the self-promotion argument). One thing’s evident. He’s definitely a nocturnal artist. Or tagger. Or vandal. Take your pick, depending on your viewpoint.
All photos copyright Gary Baumgarten
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